Page 117 of With Wine Comes War

Roman chimed in because I had them on speaker. “Maggie, Abby, Good morning. Why don’t you sit with me.” They both agreed and we parked the car.

Here we go.

***

ROMAN

I was gripping Alex’s hand protectively as we walked in stride toward the courthouse. Matt and Jack were waiting for us off to the side, arm's crossed, with more serious expressions than I had ever witnessed on either of them before. Maggie and Abby had driven separately. Iglanced down the sidewalk to spot them now swiftly making their way to our location.

“I don’t get this, really,” Matt said while shaking his head in disbelief. I mean why was this whole thing such a big deal anyway?

“This is personal. He’s going after my family, and anyone associated with them. They’ll try to use this to hurt the company and ruin all our reputations.” That’s the only thing it could be about.

Jack said, “Sounds like a couple of sore losers to me.” Alex looked like she was getting nervous, but Abby and Maggie were talking to her, hopefully trying to calm her down.

“Let’s get this part over with and get in there,” Matt nodded, and we ushered the girls towards the steps.

I whispered in Alex’s ear right before we got to the media vultures, “All the important people know the truth. Don’t let this rattle you. Remember everything you’ve been working so hard for.”

She looked at me with a coldness in her eyes and nodded slowly like she was looking through me rather than to me. “I’m fine. Tunnel vision, I promise.” The venom that came with it is what bothered me the most.

She had that eerie calm look in her eyes. I figured I should be glad because that would get her past those reporters. Hopefully, she’d keep her mouth shut like Matt and Jack suggested. Matt looked at Alex and winked and she smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. What had reached her eyes was a little scary for my taste.

As we headed up the steps, Matt and Jack made a way through the reporters for Alex as they yelled questions at her. They tried to get her attention, and I felt her body jerking to turn around and say something, especially when someone yelled, “What a bitch.” She was doing great, even as her breathing accelerated. I instinctively wrapped my arm around her to keep her from turning.

Right as we stepped inside the courthouse, she wrenched out of my arm. I held my hands up taking a step away, knowing she was not calm right now. Matt turned around at the right moment and pulled Alex aside. “Don’t let them get to you. Take Maggie and Abby into the bathroom and splash some water on your face or something.” She looked furious. Maggie and Abby both hurried her into the bathroom.

“Thanks,” I said to Matt. “She seems better when you help her out.” It frustrated me that she always pushed me away.

“I’ve known Alex since she was eighteen. She was a sweet girl before she got together with Luke. That marriage changed her, and we went through all of it with her. You’ve taken Luke’s spot, and even though you’re clearly not him, she’s not that far removed from the divorce.” Matt recited the past with familiarity and frustration.

“I guess I should’ve taken that into consideration.”So, I’m Luke? That’s just fucking great.

“You’ve gotten in her head; don’t give up. We’ve seen the sweet Alex again and the girls are grateful. And so are we.” Jack encouraged me not to let her bother me.

I don’t think we’re going to see the sweet Alex today.

“Thanks, and I don’t plan to, but she seems to need space from me, and I don’t know how she’s going to get that living together. She hasn’t even unpacked her stuff yet or gone to get more.”

Matt reached over patting me on the shoulder. “She’ll get there.” Yeah, right. But where’s she going before she gets there?

The girls came out of the bathroom with smiles on their faces, so I guess whatever happened in there was a good thing, or else they were plotting something. I’d bet anything they’re plotting.

***

ALEX

The girls snagged me by each arm, practically shoving me into the restroom. I'm not even sure if they pushed me into the women's bathroom.

Maggie said, “No name calling right now. This is serious. You need to pull your shit together. You can’t go into that courtroom with that look on your face.”

“What look is that, Maggie?” I spit out placing my hands aggressively on the sink before looking at the crazed wild eyes staring back at me in the mirror.

Abby growled uncharacteristically, “Calm down.”

I whipped my head around in her direction and said, “Don’t tell me to fucking calm down. There’s not some lunatic having a whole battalion of reporters call you a psycho bitch whore.”

Maggie and Abby were silent, holding their breath before we all burst out laughing and Maggie said while gasping for air, “What... is... a... psycho... bitch… whore?”

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